By Aabigayle McIntosh

The Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Council has circulated an advisory to members of the nursing community, informing them that their annual registration renewal is due at the end of the year.

The circular states, “All nurses and nurse midwives are hereby notified that if their nursing and/or midwifery Registration/License expire(s) on the 31st December 2023, they are required by law to re-register on or before the 1st January 2024.

“Employers of professional nurses and nurse-midwives are hereby reminded that it is illegal to hire a nurse/nurse-midwife whose license is NOT current or for any nurse/nurse-midwife to practice without a license according to the Nurses Registration Act Cap 296 and the Midwifery Act Cap 234 of the laws of Antigua and Barbuda,” according to the circular.

The Nurses Council emphasized that failure to comply with this requirement, as per the Nurses Registration Act Cap 296 and the Midwifery Act Cap 234, may result in charges, fines, or imprisonment for the nurse/nurse-midwife and their employer.

Additionally, any nurse or nurse-midwife whose registration expires on December 31st, 2023, and fails to register according to the specified regulations may face removal from the register after the 15th day of January 2024.

The Council is urging employers to ensure that nursing personnel operate within their designated scope of work/practice. It also clarified that both nursing and midwifery registration and re-registration will be conducted at the Nursing Council’s office, effective December 2023.